Security Cameras

I. Policy Statement

It is the policy of The University of North Carolina at Charlotte to place Security Cameras (or Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) Cameras) on its property where necessary and appropriate to aid in protecting public safety and institutional property and as a deterrent to crime. All video monitoring must be conducted in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, and in a manner that balances the University’s duty to promote a safe environment with the privacy rights held by UNC Charlotte faculty, staff, students, and guests.

II. Definitions

1. Campus means all property owned or leased by the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
2. The Public Safety Technology Coordinator in the Department of Public Safety Technology has the responsibilities set forth in Section V.2 below.
3. Security Camera Equipment Operators are individuals designated by UNC Charlotte as having responsibility for controlling University Security Camera equipment and/or viewing Security Camera video.
4.  Security Cameras are monitoring devices that record video and/or still photos placed on UNC Charlotte-owned or -operated property by authorized personnel for the purpose of protecting public safety or institutional property and to detect, deter, and/or assist in the investigation of criminal activity. Security Cameras include Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras and License Plate Reader (LPR) cameras. Security Cameras do not include those cameras identified in Section IV of this Policy.

III. Applicability

This Policy applies to all Security Cameras on Campus.

This Policy does not apply to the following:

1. Cameras used for legitimate instructional, research, or creative purposes;
2. Cameras used for journalistic purposes;
3. Cameras used for capturing public events and performances;
4. Cameras used for viewing and/or recording public images in public spaces for University purposes, including video conferencing, marketing and recruitment, employee training, athletic coaching, or public observation, such as construction sites;
5. Use of Security Cameras, either overtly or covertly, on a short-term basis for legitimate law enforcement purposes including, but not limited to, the gathering of evidence for a criminal investigation;
6. Personally owned and operated cameras, webcams, or other recording equipment;
7. Cameras in Police and Public Safety offices and patrol vehicles, and body-worn cameras; and
8. Other cameras used for non-security purposes specifically excepted from this Policy by the Security Camera Coordinator on a case-by-case basis.

The Security Camera Coordinator maintains responsibility for oversight of cameras in Police and Public Safety offices and patrol vehicles, and body-worn cameras. However, these cameras are subject to unique technical, administrative, and regulatory requirements addressed by state law and Police and Public Safety directives, and are therefore not subject to this Policy.

IV. Exceptions

This Policy does not apply to the following:

1. Cameras used for legitimate instructional, research, or creative purposes;
2. Cameras used for journalistic purposes;
3. Personal cameras used for capturing public events and performances;
4. Cameras used for viewing and/or recording public images in public spaces for University purposes, including video conferencing, marketing and recruitment, employee training, athletic coaching, or public observation, such as construction sites (cameras used to monitor construction projects require prior approval by the Public Safety Technology Coordinator);
5. Use of Security Cameras, either overtly or covertly, on a short-term basis for legitimate law enforcement purposes including, but not limited to, the gathering of evidence for a criminal investigation;
6. Personally owned and operated cameras, webcams, or other recording equipment;
7. Cameras in Police and Public Safety patrol vehicles, the interview room, and body-worn cameras (see Section V.3 below); and
8. Other cameras used for non-security purposes specifically excepted from this Policy by the Public Safety Technology Coordinator on a case-by-case basis.

V. Roles and Responsibilities

1. Security Camera Equipment Operators

All Security Camera Equipment Operators are required to:

1. Be trained on the technical, legal, and ethical use of Security Camera equipment and video through the Public Safety Technology Team in accordance with Safety and Security policies and procedures;
2. Use Security Camera equipment and video in accordance with University policy, including without limitation policies regarding non-discrimination;
3. Refrain from recording, duplicating, or permitting unauthorized access to Security Camera video in a manner that exceeds their authorization or that is inconsistent with this Policy; and
4. Have access only to Live View capabilities of Security Cameras unless otherwise provided by the Public Safety Technology Coordinator;
5. Provide written acknowledgment that they have read and understand this Policy and the limits of their authorization.

2. Public Safety Technology Coordinator

The Public Safety Technology Coordinator has responsibility for:

1. Monitoring compliance with this Policy and applicable laws regarding Security Cameras;
2. Identifying and recommending locations on Campus where Security Cameras would be necessary and appropriate;
3. Performing regular inspections of all Security Cameras to ensure functionality and compliance with this Policy;
4. Training and authorizing Security Camera Equipment Operators;
5. Ensuring that Security Camera Equipment Operators have been provided with appropriate work facilities so that unauthorized individuals cannot view Security Camera video, take pictures, or screen capture any video footage/feed;
6. Reviewing and approving Security Camera Installation Requests through ARCHIBUS; and
7. Acting as the point of contact and subject matter expert with Project Design and Construction for any renovations or future projects requiring Security Cameras with current equipment standards.

3. Police and Public Safety

Police and Public Safety has responsibility for oversight of cameras in Police and Public Safety patrol vehicles, the interview room, body-worn cameras, and Police and Public Safety LPR cameras (via Flock). These cameras are subject to additional specific technical, administrative, and regulatory requirements addressed by state law and Police and Public Safety policies and procedures.

4. Parking and Transportation Services (PaTS)

Parking and Transportation Services has responsibility for oversight of LPR cameras utilized for parking and transportation purposes, which are not subject to the requirements of Section VI below, but may be subject to additional PaTS policies and procedures.

5. Vice Chancellors

Vice Chancellors, or their designees, have responsibility under this Policy for:

1. Providing any recommendations to the Public Safety Technology Coordinator about the level of security required on various Campus locations over which they maintain responsibility; final security technology recommendations are the responsibility of the Public Safety Technology Coordinator;
2. Reviewing any requests for the purchase and installation of Security Cameras for locations over which they maintain responsibility; and
3. Submitting requests for the authorization of Security Camera Equipment Operators to the Public Safety Technology Coordinator through an ARCHIBUS request.  Such requests must be in writing and detail the scope and nature of Security Camera views.

VI. Camera Placement and Installation

1. Individual colleges, departments, programs, or Campus organizations wishing to install Security Cameras must submit a request to the Public Safety Technology Coordinator describing the proposed location of the Security Cameras and any accompanying equipment, justifying the proposed installation, providing a cost estimate, and identifying the funding source(s) for purchase. All Security Cameras purchased through this request will be owned by Safety and Security, with oversight by the Public Safety Technology Coordinator, including all maintenance designations outlined in this Policy. Requests may be initiated through a Security Camera request in ARCHIBUS or by contacting the Public Safety Technology Coordinator.
2. The Public Safety Technology Coordinator will be responsible for reviewing and recommending approval for requests for the installation of all Security Cameras.
3. In making their decision as to whether to recommend approval of a Security Camera installation request, the Public Safety Technology Coordinator will consider whether:
   1. installation of the requested Security Cameras is necessary and appropriate to protect public safety or institutional property and to detect, deter, and/or assist in the investigation of criminal activity; and
   2. the proposed location of, as well as advancements in technologies related to the Security Cameras respect the reasonable expectations of privacy held among members of the University community.

The Public Safety Technology Coordinator will consult with representatives of other offices, as needed, when reviewing requests. Such offices may include: Office of Legal Affairs, OneIT, Police and Public Safety, and Facilities Management.

4. The Public Safety Technology Coordinator will coordinate the installation of Security Cameras with Planning Design and Construction to ensure the University’s minimum security infrastructure is met in the first stage prior to moving forward with the installation project.
   1. This coordination will include ensuring all building entrances, exits, and main lobby spaces to maintain a clear line of sight, including view(s) of elevators, stair access, lobby restroom entrances, and primary entry.
   2. This coordination will apply to both the exterior and interior of the spaces, as well as to all new construction, renovations, and improvements.
   3. The Security Camera Matrix maintained by the Public Safety Technology Coordinator serves as a guide for minimum University security requirements and is maintained by the Safety and Security and Public Safety Technology Teams.
5. The Public Safety Technology Team maintains and controls all Security Cameras.
6. The Public Safety Technology Coordinator will manage any in-house installation, ongoing maintenance, data storage, or requirements surrounding the Security Camera system.
7. The Public Safety Technology Coordinator will make recommendations to the Associate Vice Chancellor for Safety & Security for approval or denial of all Security Camera installation request(s). The  Associate Vice Chancellor for Safety and Security will make the final decision on approval or denial of those request(s).
8. Appropriate signage may be required or recommended by the Public Safety Technology Coordinator to provide notice of the Security Cameras and enhance their crime prevention value.
9. All Security Cameras must connect to the University’s Centralized Video Recording Retention Center (CVRRC), in accordance with University product, installation, maintenance, and support standards.
10. The Public Safety Technology Coordinator will oversee the installation of all Security Cameras in coordination with Facilities Management and the Office of OneIT.
11. Security Camera views will be limited to public areas and may not include interiors of bathrooms, changing rooms, individual residence hall rooms, or other areas where there is a reasonable expectation of privacy.
12. All costs associated with the purchase and installation of the Security Cameras will be the responsibility of the requesting unit or project budget.
13. The use of false/misleading signage or dummy/placebo cameras is prohibited, and any such signs or devices will be removed by the Public Safety Technology Coordinator.

VII. Storage and Access of Security Camera Recordings

1. Security Camera recordings will be stored in a secure data storage system that can be accessed only by personnel authorized by the Public Safety Technology Coordinator or designee in association with the Associate Vice Chancellor for Safety and Security.
2. Security Camera recordings are considered criminal investigation and/or intelligence records and will be retained in accordance with University Policy 605.3, Retention, Disposition, and Security of University Records.      
3. Altering of Security Camera recordings and/or equipment is prohibited. The only exceptions are enhancing image quality for investigative purposes or blurring features to protect an individual’s privacy.
4. Requests for external review or release of Security Camera recordings unrelated to criminal investigation or intelligence must be submitted to the Public Safety Technology Coordinator. Requests for external review or release of Security Camera recordings related to criminal investigation or intelligence must be submitted to Police and Public Safety. The Public Safety Technology Coordinator or Police and Public Safety must consult with the Office of Legal Affairs regarding any external requests for Security Camera records. See Request to View Security Camera Footage.

VIII. Violation of Policy

1. Any violation of this Policy may result in criminal prosecution, and/or disciplinary action through Human Resources if the violator is an employee, through the Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Resolution if the violator is a UNC Charlotte student, and through Police and Public Safety if the violator is a Campus visitor.
2. Security Cameras installed on Campus in violation of this Policy are subject to removal.

Related Resources

• Public Safety Technology
• Security Camera Installation Request Form (ARCHIBUS)
• Request to View Security Camera Footage
• N.C. Gen. Stat. Sec. 132-1 (Public records)
• N.C. Gen. Stat. Sec. 132-1.4 (Criminal investigations; intelligence information records; Innocence Inquiry Commission records.)

Authority

Chancellor

Policy Revisions